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Match Report

Report: Reading 0 Blues 0

Blues earned a deserved point in humid conditions at the Madejski Stadium.

In a match with few clear chances, Gary Rowett will be delighted with how his side continued to work in difficult conditions.

Rowett made two changes from the side that beat Fulham on Saturday with Lukas Jutkiewicz and David Cotterill replacing Clayton Donaldson and Jacques Maghoma who both dropped to the bench.

But with the warm-ups underway, Rowett was forced into another move.

Tomasz Kuszczak, who’d been troubled by a tight quad, was unable to fully take part in the warm-up.

Therefore Legzdins got the start in goal with Academy graduate Connal Trueman on the bench.

Blues started well and had the best chance of the half within nine minutes.

A strong run from Che Adams led to a Blues free-kick down the left. With runners as decoys, Cotterill crossed a low ball towards the near post which Michael Morrison diverted towards goal forcing Al Habsi, into an excellent one handed save.

The half ebbed and flowed with Reading dominating possession, but Blues looking dangerous when trying to counter.

And it was Blues who ended the half strongly and had three chances in quick succession.

Adams’ strong run and low shot forced Al Habsi into a low save, whilst Morrison’s glancing header at the post from a Cotterill corner went just wide.

Jutkiewicz, who was leading the line impressively, turned inside and forced the 'keeper into another good near post save.

Second-half Blues picked up the momentum, but were unable to fashion that elusive chance.

Cotterill’s deliveries from the right were delicious, but Reading’s defenders were able to scramble clear just when they needed to do so.

The hosts settled themselves and had a decent spell of pressure through successive corners.

But like Reading, Blues were excellent and dealt with everything that was thrown at them.

With Jacques Maghoma, Clayton Donaldson and Diego Fabbrini all introduced late on, Gary Rowett’s side gave it one big push.

Fabbrini ran from deep, a pocket of space opened up, but his effort sailed wide of the far post.

That would be it for Blues, but it will be a pleasing point that makes it seven points from nine and three successive clean sheets.